We've had a special visitor to the Turner Resort the last few days- Nicholas and Kim's oldest daughter, McKenzie! She is 11 and LOVES horses... so Aunt Julie and Uncle Jim's place seemed like the perfect place to spend a few days while she's back in Iowa!
Nick brought McKenzie up from Turner Mountain with him Sunday night with a load of old rustic cedar boards he took of the old corn crib to store in our old white 1890 barn we moved her a few years ago.
He'd like to use them in his house someday like we did in our kitchen and hallway. It sure seems like so many of the old farmstead buildings are disappearing - it's nostalgic for us to have a piece of history in our homes from the "old days". :)
First thing Monday morning, McKenzie wanted me to wake her up at the crack of dawn to help us do chores. She was wonderful hep, from haying and graining the horses, to mucking their stalls and even sweeping the alleyway floor! And right after breakfast she wanted to go for a ride... so off we went! Above: McKenzie brushing Brandy so she can saddle her up.
Nick brought McKenzie up from Turner Mountain with him Sunday night with a load of old rustic cedar boards he took of the old corn crib to store in our old white 1890 barn we moved her a few years ago.
He'd like to use them in his house someday like we did in our kitchen and hallway. It sure seems like so many of the old farmstead buildings are disappearing - it's nostalgic for us to have a piece of history in our homes from the "old days". :)First thing Monday morning, McKenzie wanted me to wake her up at the crack of dawn to help us do chores. She was wonderful hep, from haying and graining the horses, to mucking their stalls and even sweeping the alleyway floor! And right after breakfast she wanted to go for a ride... so off we went! Above: McKenzie brushing Brandy so she can saddle her up.Kenzie all bundled up and ready to head down the trail with Brandy on a brisk Monday morning!This wasn't Kenzie first horse back ride at 12 years old, but she did say it was her first Trail ride, so I was very honored to have her experience her first ride in the woods with me and the girls! I remember how I just couldn't wait to visit anyone with horses when I was her age and how I still treasure those memories today, so I hope her time here with be just as memorable. 
Taking a break under the big oak tree. We saw quite a few deer today and even more big bucks on our second ride on Tuesday. With all the cold nights of late, all the leaves have now fallen from the trees, so we are riding through a crunchy carpet of at least 6 inches of thick oak leaves, making nearly impossible to sneak up on the old fellows for any kind of picture.
Taking a break under the big oak tree. We saw quite a few deer today and even more big bucks on our second ride on Tuesday. With all the cold nights of late, all the leaves have now fallen from the trees, so we are riding through a crunchy carpet of at least 6 inches of thick oak leaves, making nearly impossible to sneak up on the old fellows for any kind of picture.By the second day Kenzie is riding like a pro!
After our ride, Kenzie said she'd like to help me with other things too, so we attempted to finish mulching the flower beds. Kenzie helped me hook up the wagon to the tractor and we chugged along the lane up to the front - I was singing "Green Acres" as we went, but Kenzie just gave me this weird look and laughed... showing my age again apparently! After two wheel barrel loads I fell through the old and rotting floor boards of the wagon, and after the second time, decided this wasn't worth breaking a leg today! --so we called that chore quits for the day!
Then I mentioned how I'd roasted some pumpkin seeds the other day and made pumpkin soup and pie. Kenzie said she'd never done that, so off we went to get a few of the pumpkins the deer hadn't taken a bite out of yet in our front flower garden we'd been using for Fall decoration.
A slimmy job scooping out the seeds, but Kenzie thought it was fun! The fleshy part under the rine is what is used for making pie and soups. I made an apple, pumpkin, raisin dish for dinner one night... Kenzie tried it bless her heart, but didn't care for it. Jim said it was, OK, but I thought it was awesome!
Mmmmm, roasted pumpkin seeds, a yummy fall treat! 
Another awesomely beautiful day for us to saddle up and go for a ride on Weds. Someone upstairs must've known how much Kenzie wanted to ride these past few days, because we had some of the most incredible weather I can remember for November in Iowa! We saw lots to deer too, which had Kenzie grinning from ear to ear when we came upon two fawn and their Mama rather close today. 
Soon it was time to pack up her things and make our way back to Turner Mountain and her brothers and sisters who were missing her terribly! --Boy, did these last three days just flew by! Kenzie bonded with the oggie doggies, Casey and C.J. and even our barn cat Echo, started to follow her around the barn and pasture by day's end. We sure enjoyed her smiling face, girlish giggles and helping hands while she was here. I know Brandy will be wondering why we aren't saddling up for a ride in the timber today with her new (and much lighter!) little rider. We'll ALL sure miss you Kenzie!!!! You come back soon, ya hear!! :)
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